Free-scoring Armagh cruise into Ulster final Free-scoring Armagh cruise into Ulster final

Holders Armagh booked their place in the TG4 Ulster Senior Championship final in style, as they powered past Cavan 8-14 to 2-7 in front of a huge crowd in St Tiernach's Park, Clones.

The Orchard had tremendous support, as the game served as the opener for the Armagh v Derry Ulster SFC final, and Armagh got their first of eight goals on six minutes, when Niamh Coleman fisted the ball inside for the unstoppable Aimee Mackin, who dummied as though she was going to fist across goal but slotted the ball into the net with her right foot.

Mackin then added a point and literally had a hand in Armagh’s second goal when she palmed a high ball off for Kelly Mallon, scorer of 2-4 on the day, to finish into an empty net.

In-form Mackin, who finished with 3-7, then pointed from a free, before she received possession close to goal from Coleman once more, and five Cavan defenders couldn’t stop her from breaking through and making it 3-2 to 0-0.

Cavan did have a response however, when Sophie Slowey had a shot saved by Anna Carr, and the rebound effort from Aisling Gilsenan hit the post, came off the goalkeeper and went over the line for a goal.

However, three goals in as many minutes for the Orchard County gave Cavan a mountain to climb, with Blaithin Mackin palming a high ball into the net, Coleman blasting home a thunderous shot and Aimee Mackin chipping the goalkeeper after her sister had overturned the kick-out, on 20 minutes.

In the dying stages of the half, Armagh added points through braces for Aimee Mackin and Mallon, with Aisling Sheridan driving home a goal for Cavan, before points from Lauren McVeety (two) and Gilsenan for the Breffni ladies.

At half-time, Armagh led by 6-6 to 2-3 and they continued their dominance after the restart,